Hardcore shooters are as old as gaming. It began in the arcades many moons ago. Large and frequent explosions with high challenge kept gamers coming back for more. Things have changed. We like a challenge, but we like it to be gradual. Health is high, and a character can withstand several shots. How about a massive amount of ammo or, ideally, unlimited ammo so you don’t have to worry? Well, welcome to the retro-modern chic villa of Metal Slug XX.

So what’s the story behindMetal Slug XX? It’s really simple. Your character is a member of a military force sent to take out a corrupt dictator/general/whatever his role is. While this isn’t ground-braking on any level, people stay for the hardcore gaming.

Metal Slug XX is just like any other platforming shooter: Run from one side of the screen to the other while avoiding getting shot. Power-ups are earned by rescuing prisoners of war, and ammo is limited for each weapon. There’s a grenade launcher power-up, shotgun, machine gun, electrified iguanas that run the floor, grenades, your knife for close combat, and your characters’ pistol with unlimited ammo. There are different characters, and they control a bit differently. Fio, for example, is the weapons’ expert. She has more ammo available than anyone. Eri is the grenade expert, allowing her to throw grenades up and down. This gives her a bit more versatility than her counterparts. And, of course, there’s the series’ star, Marco. He’s balanced at everything.

But don’t think Metal Slug XX is easy, even on easy mode. Shots come at your characters from all directions. One-hit kills are the way of the land, as well as pits to avoid. You can only carry three weapons at a time (including your pistol). There are plenty of POWs to rescue and two vehicles to control. What drives me nuts is the fact that you can’t aim at an angle. It doesn’t feel right. But this is a hardcore shooter. It’s about memorizing patterns, quick reactions and instant gratification.

This is where Metal Slug XX becomes dicey to me. It brings out the hidden perfectionist in me, and I refuse to accept defeat. Losing all three lives means restarting the mission (level). I don’t want continues; I want to save all the POWs! I want the highest score I can get without continuing! I want to gun down those idiotic soldiers who thought it was a good idea to get in my way. At the same time, I just want to set it down and forget about it. The POW counter resets, as well as your weaponry, each time your character dies. The main problem I have with this has to do with my gaming history: Back in the day, continues were a big deal. You used them all up, and they were gone. The only way to get more was to score enough points or restart the game. Continues are unlimited in Metal Slug XX, and it’s hard to fight something that has been so engrained.

Graphically, Metal Slug XX is over-the-top. Granted, it is a bit cartoony, but it moves well, and things are easily seen. Most important, it has its own style. Gunfire is flashy, enemy soldiers reactions are humorous, and boss enemies are large and imposing. Areas — although seen a few times before— are highly detailed and feel unique. They range from deserts to caves filled with mining carts to a mountain range with waterfalls. Prisoners’ remove an arm from their bonds, wave in an overly emphatic style, and place their arm back in.

Sound wise, everything is where should be. Music has an epic feel to it. There’s the military drum march and the traditional Metal Slug music with its fast beats and synthesizers. Drums and strings mix to form a tense but airy feel to the desert. Synth sounds push you forward, and gunfire surrounds your character at all times. Grenades and shotgun fire sound potent. If you’re in a spot that can have the volume turned up, it’s definitely worth listening to.

Overall, Metal Slug XX is a solid old-school shooter. It’s fun to play, and it’ll challenge you no end. The main issue I have with it is simple: It feels more at home on my TV than it does on my PSP. If this came out on any other system, it would be better. Metal Slug XX is ideal to play on a big-screen television with a buddy sitting next to you. The main advantage is that this is portable and only costs $20.

If this genre interests you, then go buy it and have fun. If you’re a more casual gamer or someone who has been spoiled by more modern games, then Metal Slug XX is going to be a tough game to get into. As such, go out and try it. If it fits, buy it. Metal Slug XX has its own flair that should be appreciated. Oh, before I forget, be careful of the shrapnel. It can be worse than any slug.